T101 Assignment: Setting up an Automated Search Alert

Introduction: A search alert service is an automated way to keep up with what’s being published on a particular topic. Many databases allow you to set up an alert – you tell the database what words or phrases to search on, and it will perform the search as often as you like (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.) and email you articles.

For this assignment, you will set up a search alert in a database called Masterfile Premier (this database contains articles on all subject areas from popular publications). The search will be on one of the following topics: stress management for college/university students, time management for students, managing money (or finances) as a college student, test anxiety, or study skills. During class forum time, you will (at least once this semester), report to your classmates the details of an interesting article you read. You will write up a short summary of the article and turn it into Mr. Dail.

Instructions:

I. Setting up the search agent: a. Go to the NCSU Libraries’ web site: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu b. Select the link that says, “Databases” on the left hand side of the screen. c. From the A-Z list that appears on this page, click on the letter “M.” d. The first database in the M’s is “Masterfile Premier.” Click on it; it will take you to the database. e. Click on the blue “Advanced Search” tab at the top of the screen. f. Type your search keywords in the boxes on the top of the screen, then click the search button. i. Example search: college students AND stress g. Take a look at your results? Look good? If not, revise your search words till you’re getting relevant results. h. Click on the “Search History/Alerts” tab at the top of your search results. i. Check the box on the left hand side to indicate the search(es) you want to save as an alert. j. Click the link that says, “Save Searches/Alerts” k. You will now be prompted to create an account in My Ebsco. Go ahead and create the account. l. At the next screen, click “ok” to log in with your new account. m. Fill in the “Saved Search/Alert” form: Name: give the search a name (anything you want) Description: optional, if you feel you need to describe the search more. Save search as: select “Alert” More options will suddenly appear – fill in the rest of the form, then click the “Save” button.

That’s it! You’re done setting up your alert! II. Writing your article summary: a. Start with a citation to the article in MLA or APA format. MLA and APA style guides are freely available on the web. Here’s an example in APA:

Borman, W.C., Hanson, M.A., Oppler, S.H., Pulakos, E.D., & White, L.A. (1993). Role of early supervisory experience in supervisor performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 78, 443-449. Retrieved October 23, 2000, from PsycARTICLES database.

b. Then write your summary. Keep it to ½ -1 page in length. Use your own words, don’t plagiarize. In addition to summarizing the content of the article, write a bit about why you were interested in it/liked it.

III. If you need help, contact a librarian! Honora Nerz ([email protected]) Scott Warren ([email protected]) Steve Meyer ([email protected])